EX-LAWMAKER PLEADS GUILTY TO RACKETEERING

The former second-ranking member of the South Carolina House pleaded guilty Wednesday to a racketeering charge resulting from the FBI's undercover payoff sting at the Statehouse.

Former state Rep. Jack Rogers also agreed to testify in other cases stemming from the FBI's sting, "Operation Lost Trust."The former House speaker pro tempore is one of 15 current or former lawmakers snared in the corruption probe. The sting also led to charges against six Statehouse lobbyists and a former high-ranking state official.

Rogers faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. No sentencing date was set.